A National organization dedicated to advancing the careers of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in politics and public affairs Sunday named AsAmNews the recipient of its Torch Award.
The honor from the National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs recognizes “outstanding trailblazing news media platforms that support and promote AAPI political and issue-based news content.”
AsAmNews received the award along with the political newsletter, The Yappie.
“All the volunteers and interns at AsAmNews are ecstatic to receive this honor,” said Randall Yip, founder and editor of AsAmNews. “For ten years, we have worked hard without compensation to bring the Asian American Pacific Islander community interesting and relevant news stories to advance AAPIs in all areas of life. We know we can do even better. This award gives us the motivation to strive to be the best for our community.”
This is the second award AsAmNews has received this month. The Asian Hustle Network, an entrepreneur support group of 200,000 members, named Yip the recipient of its Unsung Heroes Award for working for the betterment of the community with little recognition.
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The NAAPPPA also named several other award winners.
NAAPPPA’s Annual Forward Award went to Ron Wong, CEO of Imprenta Communications and the Executive Producer of the award-winning Race Epidemic documentary for his work mentoring and promoting young AAPI professionals in the political and public affairs arena.
The National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs also announced its 2022 list of the top 40 AAPI political operatives and public affairs professionals under 40.
“NAAPPPA established this bipartisan list to highlight emerging AAPIs in the professional unelected side of politics. They’re breaking the model minority stereotype by excelling in the rough and tumble, rule-bending, bare knuckle world of American politics,” stated Bill Wong, veteran campaign strategist and co-founder of NAAPPPA.
NAAPPPA’s 2022 40 Under 40 List (list with photos and bios at this link) in alphabetical order:
| 1. Mary Lou Akai-Ferguson, Political Activist & Organizer |
| 2. Michelle Alexander, Charter School Growth Fund |
| 3. Jessica Caloza, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Attorney General Rob Bonta, California Department of Justice |
| 4. Vivian Cao, District Director, Office of Senator Shannon Grove |
| 5. Gregory Allan Datu Cendana, President and Co-Founder, Can’t Stop! Won’t Stop! Consulting |
| 6. Linette Choi, District Director, US Rep. Young Kim |
| 7. Ricky Choi, Director of Government and Community Relations, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments |
| 8. Tiffany Chu, Chief of Staff to Mayor Michelle Wu, City of Boston |
| 9. Sonali Desai, Chief of Staff, CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu |
| 10. Alisa Finn, Managing Director, Targeted Victory |
| 11. Mason Fong, Director of Government Relations, Peregrine |
| 12. Jassy Grewal, Legislative Director, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council |
| 13. Gina Hwang, Vice President, Targeted Victory |
| 14. Samuel Hyun, Political Director, Sonia Chang-Díaz for Governor |
| 15. Andrew Jiang, Principal, AJ Campaigns, LLC |
| 16. Nainoa Johsens, Director of Asian Pacific American Media, Republican National Committee |
| 17. Nic Jordan, Executive Director, ASPIRE PAC |
| 18. John P.B.Jose, Director of APA Engagement, Republican National Committee (RNC) |
| 19. Noah Kim, Senior Account Executive, AL Media |
| 20. Nancy Lê, Chief of Staff, City of San José Councilmember Sylvia Arenas |
| 21. Allison Lim, Chief of Staff, Assemblymember Alex Lee |
| 22. Denise Luu, Assistant Vice President, Communications and Media, East West Bank |
| 23. Caeli Mahon, Vice President, Targeted Victory |
| 24. Paulette Maskarino, Senior Field Representative/Legislative Aide, Office of Assemblyman Phillip Chen |
| 25. Lindsay McLaggan, Public Policy Advocate, California Cattlemen’s Foundation |
| 26. Bijan Mehryar, State & Local Government Affairs Manager/Salesforce |
| 27. Andrew Mendoza, Legislative Director, California State Assembly |
| 28. Tommy Nguyen, Professional Staff Member/US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence |
| 29. Peter Oh, Field Representative, Assemblymember Steven Choi |
| 30. Jas Sajjan, San Francisco 49ers |
| 31. Ghazal Seino, Field Representative, Assemblymember Phillip Chen |
| 32. Samantha Seng, Policy Advisor & Legislative Director, NextGen |
| 33. Rina Shah, Principal & Founder, Rilax Strategies |
| 34. Shreya Singh Hernández, Data Programs Manager, Planned Parenthood Federation of America |
| 35. Oliver Truong, Executive Outreach Director, Lead PA |
| 36. Kevin Wen, Government Affairs Manager, Edison International |
| 37. Nancy Xiong, Executive Director, Hmong Innovating Politics |
| 38. Yee Xiong, Associate Consultant, Lam Consulting Group |
| 39. Nkauj Iab Yang, Executive Director, California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs |
| 40. Jack Yao, Founder and Principal, SC Strategies |
NAAPPPA also named the recipients of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champions
California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon retained an unprecedented number of senior AAPI staff in the state Assembly, appointed a historic number of AAPIs to chair, vice chair, leadership positions, and board and commission appointments, and dedicated many hours to speaking to AAPI youth and young professionals about careers in politics and public service.
California Faculty Association for its outstanding work on anti-racism and social justice, as well as recognizing the strong representation of AAPIs in their leadership, at the senior staff level, and its active support of the efforts of the CFA APIDA Caucus.
East West Bank for its outstanding efforts to support and promote AAPIs at the senior executive level and its active support of the AAPI community. Headquartered in California, East West Bank is a top performing commercial bank with teams of experienced, multicultural professionals that have helped guide businesses and community members on both sides of the Pacific looking to explore new markets and create new opportunities.
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